Electromagnetic projectile launching system with a concentric rail geometry

Abstract

An electromagnetic projectile launching system utilizes two cylindrical rail configurations. In one configuration, multiple conductive armatures are electromagnetically accelerated along rails which are located on the inner surface of a cylindrical barrel. The second configuration utilizes armatures located between concentric cylindrical rails. Rifling provides for spin stabilization of the projectile.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electromagentic projectile launching system comprising: a cylindrical barrel;   a plurality of conductive rails distributed azimuthally on the inner surface of said barrel;   a plurality of conductive armatures disposed between said conductive rails;   an insulating core to which said armatures are radially attached;   a source of current; and   commutating means for connecting said current to said rails, wherein current flowing longitudinally within said rails in the wake of said armatures, and through said armatures produces magnetic fields which propel said armatures along said rails.   
     
     
       2. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 1, wherein said rails are spirally disposed along the axis of said barrel. 
     
     
       3. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 2, wherein said core has means for connection to a projectile for imparting spin to the projectile during a launch. 
     
     
       4. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 3, wherein said means for imparting spin is a plurality of splines on a shaft connected to said core. 
     
     
       5. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 3, wherein said means for imparting spin is a keyed shaft connected to said core. 
     
     
       6. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 1, wherein said barrel is slotted to accept said rails. 
     
     
       7. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 1, wherein said rails have a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
       8. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 1, wherein said armatures comprise a multi-layer stack of a plurality of copper leaves. 
     
     
       9. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 1, wherein said source of current comprises: an induction coil; and   a direct current generator connected in series with said induction coil.   
     
     
       10. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 1, wherein alternate ones of said conductive rails are electrically connected together at one end, said one end being electrically connected to said source of current. 
     
     
       11. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 1, further comprising: additional conductive rails disposed generally parallel and adjacent to said conductive rails and electrically connected in series with said conductive rails.   
     
     
       12. An electromagnetic projectile launching system comprising: a pair of cylindrical coaxial conductive electrodes;   an annular conductive armature disposed between said electrodes and in sliding electrical contact with said electrodes;   a plurality of axial slots in the inner one of said pair of electrodes;   a central plug slidably disposed within the inner one of said pair of electrodes;   a plurality of insulating support arms which pass through said slots and rigidly attach said armature to said central plug;   a plurality of insulating support rails running axially between said electrodes, which support the segments of the inner one of said electrodes created by said slots;   a plurality of apertures in said armature through which said support rails pass;   a source of current; and   a commutating means for connecting said current to said electrodes, wherein current flowing longitudinally within said electrodes and through said armature produces magnetic fields which propel said armature along said electrodes.   
     
     
       13. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 12, wherein said slots and said support rails are spirally disposed along the axis of said electrodes. 
     
     
       14. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 13, wherein said plug has means for connection to a projectile for imparting spin to the projectile during a launch. 
     
     
       15. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 14, wherein said means for imparting spin is a plurality of splines on a shaft connected to said plug. 
     
     
       16. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 14, wherein said means for imparting spin is a keyed shaft connected to said plug. 
     
     
       17. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 12, wherein said armature comprises a multi-layer stack of a plurality of copper leaves. 
     
     
       18. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 12, wherein said source of current comprises: an induction coil; and   a direct current generator connected in series with said induction coil.   
     
     
       19. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 12, wherein said commutating means is a switch. 
     
     
       20. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of cylindrical coaxial electrodes having a common axis with said pair of electrodes and disposed inside said inner one of said pair of electrodes and possessing axial slots in the same radial position as said slots in the inner electrode of said pair of electrodes;   additional cylindrical coaxial electrodes having a common axis with said pair of electrodes and disposed outside of the outer one of said pair of electrodes;   a plurality of conductive annular end caps, providing an electrical connection between said plurality of inside electrodes and said additional outside electrodes, said end caps having an aperture through which a projectile can pass; and   a plurality of insulating support rails disposed between said segments of said inner one of said pair of electrodes and the segments of each successive inner electrode.   
     
     
       21. An electromagnetic projectile launching system comprising: a pair of cylindrical coaxial electrodes;   a conductive annular armature disposed between said electrodes and in sliding electrical contact with said electrodes;   an insulating liquid disposed within said electrodes and between said armature and a projectile;   a source of current; and   commutating means for connecting said current to said electrodes, wherein current flowing longitudinally within said electrodes and through said armature produces magnetic fields which propel said armature along said electrodes.   
     
     
       22. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 21, wherein said source of current comprises: an induction coil; and   a direct current generator connected in series with said coil.   
     
     
       23. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 21, wherein said commutating means is a switch. 
     
     
       24. An electromagnetic projectile launching system as recited in claim 21, further comprising additional cylindrical coaxial electrodes wherein said additional electrodes are disposed in equal numbers inside the inner one of said pair of electrodes and outside of the outer one of said pair of electrodes and are connected such that current flows in the same direction in all inner electrodes and in the same direction in all outer electrodes.